Stiffening cord or tape.



PATBNTED SEPT. 22, 190s.

B. K. WARREN. vSTIFEELwI-NG com) 0R TAPE.

Imk Y .LPPLIOATION FILED Dna. s. 1900.

[ijveigto'xa W'itlgesses:

' is utilized.

i UNITED STATESY Patented september 22, 190e.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD Ir. WARREN, oE rIIREEoAKs, MICHIGAN, AssIGNoR 'roV THE WARREN EEATHEREONE COMPANY, or TIIREEoAKs, MICHIGAN.

STIFFEENINecoRD oRaTAP-E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 739,460, dated September 22, 190,3, Application filed December 3, 19O. Serial No. 38,440. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: y

Be it known that I, EDWARD K. WARREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the village of Threeoaks, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stiffening Cords or Tapes, of which the following is a specication. l

. This invention relates to stiffening cords or tapes, and is animproved construction of stiff-l ening cords or tapes in which quill substance The objectsof this invention are primarily an improvement in the stiffening-strand itself, although when the strands are assembled they' form a blade of great rigidity and strength, owing to the arrangement of the parts, it bee ing very desirable to form these stiffeners into blades, as they are made up of short lengths, which require break-joints to secure the best results. This improved structure,while it util izes quills of all sizes, is especially adapted for the utilization of medium-sized' quills, as that will entirely avoid dividing the quills into parts, it being necessary merely to split them down one side and remove the pith. Where the quills are large, they can be split or divided into longitudinal strips for the purpose.

The objects of the particular arrangement and of the details of construction will fully appear in view of these statements in the' detailed description to follow. Y'

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in this speciiication.

The invention is fully defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure fully embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is an illustration of the improved strand in process of manufacture, no apparatus or machinery being illustrated in connection. Fig. 2 is a detail view of a portion of a completed strand. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a stiffening-blade made up of such strands. Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional View through the blade appearing in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is atransverse enlarged detailsectional View through one of the strands, the wrappingthread being omitted. Fig. 6 is a transverse enlarged detail sectional View through one of the strands, the wrapping-threads being omitted, made of a narrow section of quill, the edges not being overlapped, as in Fig. 5.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

The quills are first stripped of-their plumage. The quill substance is then split open and the pith-like substance removed by sand a er. emer T-wheels sera inv' or other suitable means. The quill, if a large one, is split into strips of appropriate width, as appearsy at A of Fig. l, and where the quills are larger they can be' split into halves in the Iirst instance, which is my usual process of treating such quills. When stripsofthe'shellportion of the quill have been prepared and out to the proper width, one end of the same will be found to be thinner than the other.. Theyv are then arranged in series, thethick end of one partlapping onto the thin portion ofthe other, after the manner indicated in Fig. l, such strips of quill being indicated by the letter A. This material is thenwrapped longitudinally around a central strand or thread B, forming a scroll or roll, as in Fig. 5 or 6. A wrapping-thread C is then wound around the same to retain the quills securely in this position. or otherwise moistened during this process, so that they will be easily conformed, and I prefer to dip the tips of the same into cement, so

that the dierent sections will be securely cemented together. The strand when completed is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. I desire to remark that whenv the quill substance is softened and heated andv covered by cement it can be brought to theform of the strand and be retained there vwithout tlielaid of a thread. It requires, however, consider- The quills are preferably steamed able' care in the manufacture, andI prefetto l threads E E, as clearly appears in Fig. 3, and

where more than two strands are wound together a row of stitches F should extenddown through the center, which will hold the IOO wrapping-threads in position exactly according to the method appearing in United States Letters Patent No. 389,993, issued to me on the 25th day of September, 1888. The strands thus assembled can be utilized as a stiifener without any further treatment. I, however, prefer to treat the blade so formed in the manner described in United States Letters Patent No. 559,827 issued to myself and Mr. Jonas H. Holden on the 12th day of May, 1896, whereby the wrapping-threads Will be closely incorporated with the quill substance and the whole made into a smooth even stiffeningblade of great rigidity and strength. I also desire to state that the strands D or the strands without the wrapping-threads can be incorporated into blades by a braiding-machine, as clearly appears in United States Letters Patent No. 611,298, issued to me on the 27th day of September, 1898. The strands can also be used in woven fabrics. Single strands can of course be used where a small cord is desired. Y

I desire to remark that this structure can be considerably varied without departing from my invention. While the strand B is of very great advantage during the assembling of the parts and gives great lon gitudinal strength to the finished strands, I am aware that by exercising care and caution the same can be omitted. The advantages of its presence, however, will be wanting, and I prefer to utilize it. Other variations have already been indicated, and I think still further modiiications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a stiffening material, a strand comprising a central thread inclosed by overlapping, longitudinally slotted and rolled sections of quill portions of feathers, the parts ving the same, for the purpose specified.

f1. In a stiifening material, a strand coinprising strips of quill portions of feathers rolled longitudinally upon themselves and into a roll, for the purpose specified.

5. A strand made up of the quill portions of feathers which are rolled into longitudinal rolls with overlapping meeting ends and suitable means of retaining the same in position.

6. A strand made up of the quill portions of feathers which are rolled into longitudinal rolls with suitable means of retaining the same in position.

7. A stiffening-blade made up of aseres of strands consisting of the quill portion of feathers, which is rolled longitudinally into a roll and compacted together and retained in a flat braid by wrapping threads around the same, as specified.

8. A stiffening-blade made up of a series of strands consisting of the quill portion of feathers, which is rolled longitudinally into a roll and compacted together and retained in a flat braid, as specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD K. WARREN. [L s] Titnesses MORRIS G. MCGAWN, MARY A. DAvIDsoN.- 

